Autumn in Donostia · guide updated 29 September 2026
Autumn changes the pace of San Sebastián without bringing the city to a standstill. The beach season winds down, while the cultural calendar gathers momentum. Road races cross several neighbourhoods, food events return, and dance and film festivals fill the programme. Cooler, wetter weather makes it a good time to combine outdoor walks with museums, theatres and the city’s food scene.
This guide covers September, October and November, plus selected December dates that lead into the Christmas season. It brings together confirmed 2026 events and recurring seasonal traditions, ideas for both bright and rainy days, and practical advice for visitors. Event dates can change, so check the organisers’ official pages for times, tickets and road closures before setting out.
Coming up: the official 2026 beach season runs through 30 September. In the days ahead, San Sebastián Gastronomika takes place on 5–7 October, the Cross 3 Playas on 11 October (entries are sold out), and Iturritik from 23–25 October. Donostia Kultura’s autumn programme also lists 72 performances between October and December.
Autumn in San Sebastián: confirmed events in 2026
We checked dates against the City Council, Donostia Kultura and each event organiser. This calendar was reviewed on 29 September 2026. The dates below distinguish the 2026 programme from traditions that return each year; always check the official pages for the latest edition details.
September: Euskal Jaiak and the San Sebastián International Film Festival
September brings some of Donostia’s best-known cultural and popular events. Euskal Jaiak, with music, dance, rural sports and food, usually takes place in the first half of the month. The La Concha Bandera rowing regattas and Sagardo Eguna also fall around this time. In the second half of September, the San Sebastián International Film Festival (Zinemaldia) is held each year, at the transition from summer to autumn. Its exact dates vary from one edition to the next. See our Zinemaldia guide and Donostia Kultura’s festival listings for the current programme.
The official 2026 beach season ends on 30 September. The beaches and seafront promenades remain open throughout the year, but lifeguard cover and other summer services may change after the season. Check the City Council’s beach information and sea conditions before swimming or approaching exposed sections of the coast.
4 October: San Sebastián Rural Kutxa Half Marathon
The 21.097-kilometre race starts at 9:30 am on Boulevard and follows a road course through the city. If you are visiting that weekend, allow extra time to cross the centre and check travel notices and the route on the official race website. Runners should also check the site for bib collection and race-day instructions.
5–7 October: San Sebastián Gastronomika at the Kursaal
The food congress holds its 28th edition at the Kursaal Congress Centre, with the 50th anniversary of the New Basque Cuisine as its theme and an international gathering devoted to cod. The announced programme includes chefs and food-world figures such as Juan Mari Arzak, Pedro Subijana, Martín Berasategui, Pierre Gagnaire and Gastón Acurio, alongside talks, activities and awards. It is a professional event, so check which sessions are open to the general public and what pass or ticket each one requires on the official Gastronomika website. The Kursaal sits beside Zurriola Beach and Gros: you can pair a visit with our guides to the Zurriola seafront or San Sebastián’s food scene.
11 October: Cross 3 Playas
This 10-kilometre race starts and finishes near Ondarreta’s seafront promenade at 10:00 am. The City Council listing says entries are sold out. Even if you are not taking part, the race may affect traffic and pedestrian access along the seafront. Check same-day notices on the City Council listing and the organiser’s website.
23–25 October: Iturritik dance festival
The fifth edition combines five indoor performances, two outdoor pieces and workshops. Its programme brings together Basque dance, circus, urban forms, acrobatic tango and contemporary work by artists from Euskal Herria and elsewhere. Some performances are at the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, with other activities outdoors. Check the programme, venues and tickets in Donostia Kultura’s Iturritik announcement.
29 October: Samantha Hudson at Intxaurrondo
As a prelude to Horror and Fantasy Film Week, Samantha Hudson performs at 8:00 pm at Intxaurrondo Kultur Etxea. Details and tickets are available in the Donostia Kultura announcement.
30 October–6 November: Horror and Fantasy Film Week
The 37th edition screens genre films and schedules events at the Principal Theatre, Victoria Eugenia and other venues. Basque film Salitre, directed by Norma Vila, is announced as the opening-night film on 30 October. The festival often extends beyond screenings with exhibitions and parallel events. Confirm dates, venues, sessions and tickets on the official Horror and Fantasy Film Week website and Donostia Kultura’s festival listings.
8 November: Behobia–San Sebastián
The 61st edition is scheduled for 8 November, covering 20 kilometres from Behobia to Donostia. It is one of the autumn’s busiest days for sport and transport: the start is not in central San Sebastián, and runners and spectators travel through several municipalities. Check the official Behobia–San Sebastián website, its 2026 race rules and transport notices before planning your day.
9–22 November: Literaktum
This festival of literature and critical thought brings talks and other activities to venues across the city. It is a good opportunity to add a conversation, book event or cultural visit to a trip outside the busiest weekends. The 2026 programme is published on Literaktum’s website and Donostia Kultura’s festival listings.
22 November: Zurich San Sebastián Marathon
The marathon and 10-kilometre race start in the Calle Hernani area. The City Council listing says the full marathon is sold out, while 10-kilometre entries are still on sale at the time of writing; availability can change. Check start times, route and entry availability on the City Council listing and the official race website. If your visit coincides with the race, do not assume that you can cross the centre easily by car or bus.
December: Santo Tomás and the start of Christmas
The Santo Tomás fair traditionally takes place on 21 December. Stalls, rural traditions and local food fill the city centre; txistorra sausage is one of its best-known treats. For 2026, check opening times, stalls and any changes in Donostia Kultura’s Santo Tomás information.
The Christmas market is announced for December 2026 and January 2027, but the official sources consulted disagree on the opening day: the tourism website gives 1 December, while the organiser’s page gives 4 December. We have not presented one date as confirmed. Before you go, check the updated calendar on San Sebastián Tourism and the market’s website. Opening hours, location and activities may also change.
More live culture than one list can cover
Alongside festivals, Donostia Kultura has announced 72 ticketed performances between October and December, including theatre, concerts, dance, children’s shows and bertsolaritza at theatres and cultural centres. A visitor guide cannot reliably summarise every performance or replace a live listings page. Check the autumn-season announcement and the full calendar, where you can filter by date, art form and neighbourhood. Check ticket availability too; popular performances may sell out.
Autumn weather in San Sebastián: temperatures and rainfall
Autumn in Donostia is usually mild compared with inland destinations, but damp and changeable. These are AEMET’s climate normals for the Igeldo weather station for 1981–2010. They are long-term averages, not a forecast for your travel dates or a description of every urban microclimate.
| Month | Mean temperature | Mean daily high | Mean daily low | Mean rainfall | Days with at least 1 mm of rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 15.5 °C | 18.5 °C | 12.4 °C | 159 mm | 11.8 |
| November | 11.3 °C | 14.0 °C | 8.7 °C | 169 mm | 13.0 |
| December | 9.1 °C | 11.6 °C | 6.6 °C | 151 mm | 12.4 |
In practical terms, October can still bring pleasant afternoons, but it is unwise to build your whole visit around the beach. November and December call for warmer layers and an indoor backup plan. Pack comfortable shoes that can handle rain, a waterproof outer layer and clothes you can adjust as the day changes. A small umbrella can work on sheltered streets; on the coast, a hooded waterproof jacket is more useful when it is windy.
Check the forecast a few days before travelling on our San Sebastián weather page. For a coastal walk, the sea and higher ground, follow official warnings and stay away from breaking waves or closed promenades during rough-sea conditions.
Things to do in autumn: coast, neighbourhoods, culture and nature
Walk around the bay on a settled day
The walk from the centre along La Concha and past Miramar towards Ondarreta lets you enjoy the bay without swimming. On a clear day, continue to the Wind Comb and return the same way. Explore our guides to La Concha Bay, La Concha Beach, the three-beaches promenade and the Wind Comb. If the sea is rough, enjoy the coastline from safe areas and follow signs and closures.
Parte Vieja, the market and museums on a rainy day
Parte Vieja (the Old Town) works well in changeable weather: explore its streets, visit San Telmo Museum and stop at La Bretxa market. Check opening days and hours before setting out. Our guides cover Parte Vieja, San Telmo Museum and La Bretxa market.
Parks and hills: choose for the ground and the daylight
On a dry morning, the city’s parks offer another view of San Sebastián. Cristina Enea is close to the centre; Urgull has steep paths and viewpoints; Igeldo and Ulia require you to check access, transport and trail conditions. In rain, mud or low light, avoid slippery paths and do not improvise long routes. Our guide to parks, gardens and nature brings together green spaces and tips for planning a visit.
An afternoon of culture
Theatre, music, dance, cinema and activities at local cultural centres make autumn an especially convenient season for mixing different kinds of plans. Browse the listings by neighbourhood and date; if you are visiting at the weekend, book performances you do not want to miss. Explore our guide to culture and festivals and the official Donostia Kultura calendar.
Suggested itineraries for a short break
One day
Start in the centre and walk around the bay towards Miramar and Ondarreta if the weather is kind. Then return to Parte Vieja for lunch and visit San Telmo or the Aquarium, depending on your interests and opening hours. Leave the afternoon for a performance, exhibition or shorter walk. This keeps alternatives close at hand if rain arrives, without having to cross the city from end to end.
Two days
Spend the first day in the centre, around the bay and in Parte Vieja. For the second, choose between nature—Urgull, Cristina Enea or Igeldo—and a neighbourhood such as Gros, where you can combine Zurriola Beach with pintxos. If a race or festival is on, build your route around it and check travel restrictions. Our San Sebastián transport and mobility guide can help you plan the journeys.
If it rains all day
Combine San Telmo or the Aquarium with a relaxed meal, a visit to the market and a performance or concert in the afternoon. Do not string too many venues together without checking their hours: some museums close on a particular day, visits may require a ticket, and markets are busiest in the morning.
Autumn food: what to look for and where
Local cooking offers warming dishes as the weather cools, but ingredients vary by year and restaurant. Ask what is in season—such as mushrooms, stews, broths, fish and local produce—instead of assuming the same item will be on every menu. Gastronomika also brings an important food-industry event to the Kursaal in October. For pintxos and an introduction to the local food scene, see our San Sebastián food guide, our Gros pintxos trail and our guide to La Bretxa market.
On event days, demand can be higher around the Kursaal and the city centre. Reserve if you have a particular restaurant in mind and check its hours. For a more spontaneous meal, try streets away from the busiest spots and follow each bar’s local customs.
Practical tips for visiting Donostia in autumn
- Check the listings shortly before your trip. Theatre, concerts, exhibitions and neighbourhood events change throughout the season.
- Allow extra time on race days. The Half Marathon, Cross 3 Playas, Behobia and Zurich Marathon may affect travel, parking and crossings. Follow notices from the organisers and City Council.
- Book limited-capacity events. Check whether an activity is free, ticketed or aimed at professionals; do not assume Gastronomika operates like an open public fair.
- Adapt your walk to rain and sea conditions. Atlantic weather can change during the day. Check forecasts and warnings, and respect seafront closures.
- Do not confuse beach services with coastal access. The waterfront can be enjoyed all year, but summer services end and swimming out of season calls for extra care.
- Leave time for getting around on foot. The centre is compact, but rain, roadworks and events can slow journeys. Check public transport if you have a timed arrival or departure.
More guides for planning your visit
- Iconic places in Donostia: key locations for getting to know the city.
- Things to see and do in San Sebastián: ideas to add to your route.
- Culture and festivals: background and cultural listings.
- Sporting events: competitions and races.
- Getting around San Sebastián: ways to travel around the city.
- San Sebastián weather: check the forecast before heading out.
Sources and updates: AEMET climate normals for Igeldo (1981–2010); official calendars and pages from Donostia City Council, Donostia Kultura, race organisers, San Sebastián Gastronomika and the Christmas market. Dates reviewed on 29 September 2026. We will update this guide when organisers announce changes.